That is an impressive, demanding and ambitious schedule. That's what it means to have played a schedule that prepares a team for post season. In looking at that schedule..... it is probable or at least possible that they will have played 5 teams better than they would face in a 5 game run to a title. Especially when you factor in they will face only D4 teams in post season.

I see where the Cards picked up one of Big Red's frequent foes in Buffalo St. Joes...usually a very talented bunch that will get to the 4th quarter with a chance to win. And they will win a lot of games for valuable Harbin points.

That is an impressive, demanding and ambitious schedule. That's what it means to have played a schedule that prepares a team for post season. In looking at that schedule..... it is probable or at least possible that they will have played 5 teams better than they would face in a 5 game run to a title. Especially when you factor in they will face only D4 teams in post season.

I see where the Cards picked up one of Big Red's frequent foes in Buffalo St. Joes...usually a very talented bunch that will get to the 4th quarter with a chance to win. And they will win a lot of games for valuable Harbin points.

I once bought into your tough schedule point but I've realized all a tough schedule prepares you for are weekly physical beatdowns even when you win. Playing teams each week who are just as good as you or better takes its toll. The backups get very little experience because there are no easy games. By week 11 if you get there teams with easier schedules and rested players have a huge advantage. Getting out of the district is now difficult for Mooney.

I once bought into your tough schedule point but I've realized all a tough schedule prepares you for are weekly physical beatdowns even when you win. Playing teams each week who are just as good as you or better takes its toll. The backups get very little experience because there are no easy games. By week 11 if you get there teams with easier schedules and rested players have a huge advantage. Getting out of the district is now difficult for Mooney.

It's the risk you take by scheduling those teams and the risk that is forced upon you when no one else will play you.

The key difference I see for Mooney over the last 15 years is depth.

It used to be a kid or two would transfer out and they'd lose a few during the season but still have a fighting chance.

Now, a key player or 2 goes down and the whole season goes with it. Look at page last year. He goes down and you not only lose a QB/LB but you also lose your best WR since Pelini had to go to QB. That one domino fell and that was basically it.

I remember the season the Cards played Hickory in a preseason game, maybe 2014, I can't remember, but in the first 2 plays a lineman went down for the year and one of the LBs a play later.

A fellow Mooney Looney leaned over and said to a group of us, "there goes the season".

Turned out later the lineman was gone for the year and the LB was never the same. Neither was the team.

The test will probably be who steps up in the skill positions with two graduating seniors from the backfield as well as the top two receivers this will be a challenge. The offensive line, however, should be solid with four seniors and a massive and skilled junior.

On defense it will be a similar story as the guys who graduated were all playmakers. Quickly finding pieces to fill that void will be interesting and will go a long way to determining the success of the season.

The test will probably be who steps up in the skill positions with two graduating seniors from the backfield as well as the top two receivers this will be a challenge. The offensive line, however, should be solid with four seniors and a massive and skilled junior.

On defense it will be a similar story as the guys who graduated were all playmakers. Quickly finding pieces to fill that void will be interesting and will go a long way to determining the success of the season.

^^^
1. I wouldn't pay 2 cents for that rag fish wrap called a newspaper in this town, so no I didn't read it on the "front page".
2. The food at the GD sucked....period. Better they toss a match to it so I can bring my own food to grill out on the burning remnants!

Listen pal..... I've lived within 10 miles of the Golden Dawn and MVR for most of the last 24 years of my life.

There's a reason I've been to the MVR at least 100 times (probably closer to 300) and the golden dawn once. It's not because of Mooney or Ursuline. It's not the last name of the owners. It's not the location. It's not Bocce. It's not because of my ethnicity.

It's the food.

The food I got at the Golden Dawn was awful. It was like microwaved leftovers. The food at the MVR has never, ever let me down.

It's that simple.

I'll support the local business that doesn't serve food fit for a dog.